Almost 200 mountain rescuers are expected to aid the search for missing schoolgirl April Jones today.

Speaking outside Machynlleth Leisure Centre this morning, Search and Rescue Dogs search adviser Roland Layland said the team would be aided by 16 highly-trained dogs from North Wales, South Wales and Derbyshire.

Teams are working in shifts to cover as much ground as possible as they look for the five-year-old, who was last seen getting in to a vehicle as she played with friends near her home on Monday night.

Some searchers worked through the night, while dozens more are expected to return to the search today.

Mr Layland told WalesOnline: "I can tell you that we had 180 searchers out yesterday from mountain rescue, out there in 80 search areas."

He said those areas were within a five- or six-mile radius of the Mid Wales town.

"Some people were out overnight as we found little bits that hadn't been searched for one reason or another," he added.

"As far as I can see we have got pretty much the same number of people [today]."

Search manager Mark Moran, from mountain rescue, said the mood among those going out to look for April was one of optimism.

"I've just been talking to some of the guys this morning and they are exceedingly upbeat and hoping for a positive result, getting April back to her mum."